A Little Chicken Can Go A Long Way

Chapters

This isn't what I saw
I Told Her She Was Perfect
The Best of Times Spent
Your Worst Enemy
Cold Beds and Soft Foods

This isn't what I saw

I was never the type that could get myself out there. Nor was I the person to think I could ever be happy...until I saw her.

The soft magenta hair and lightly tanned skin that practically illuminated the entire space around her. It was Scootaloo, and you'd never forget her..

I knew she hadn't ever seen me, because I don't exist! Was I to approach her with just saying, "Hi I'm Stratus and I've ALWAYS thought you were beautiful!" This would work, of course, in the movies...but never in real life.

"Dammit!", I thought to myself. Here I was, practically in love with her but have yet to even say a word! I mean really, how stupid can one be? I guess I could only wait until we just bumped into each other or something, however there's no telling when that would be.

Had I known it was sooner than expected, I would've planned my best...

A lazy Saturday rolled around before I had known it, and I was off to the market to just fetch a few things for groceries and what not. Needless to say, I saw her again...and she hadn't changed.

She was with her two best friends, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Two of the "Crusaders" that actually knew me. I had been around those two for a majority of my life, but never when Scootaloo was around. It was a conundrum, if you will.

As I walked over to stands of fresh fruits, as I expected, both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle ran up to me.

"STRATUS!", they exclaimed. "Where've you been? Ain't ya got time for old pals no more?", Apple Bloom said with the saddest look on her face.

"Yeah! How come you never stop and say 'hi!'?", Sweetie Belle said with the same expression.

"Well erm...I uh..." I knew I had to think of something. "I've been super busy! Work and all ya'know!"

Both looked at me curiously and said, "Work!? You gaze at the sky and play music!"

I was in a blush. Words couldn't form quick enough and sooner than I could even possibly conceive what was happening, Scootaloo walked up..

"Hey girls! Who's this guy?", she asked with a tilt of her head.

"Oh it's just Stratus, we've known'm forever!", Apple Bloom happily said.

"Then how come I've never met-", Scootaloo was interrupted by Apple Bloom, "Because all he does is sit at home and do boring things!"

So here I was. My first impression EVER with the girl I had seen as perfect, and I'm being described as a basement dweller. The guy who does nothing but sky gaze and listen to music. Yep, that's me. But I would've at least made it a little less insulting.

Scootaloo looked to me and asked, "So what? You just too afraid of the outside or something?"

"No..", I said softly. Her brow raised and I knew I was already boring her.

"I mean yeah I like to stay at home and do what makes me happy...", I looked down.

"HAH! I knew you looked like someone who didn't get out much!", she said with a giggle.

Something inside me just couldn't hold back..and it was the worst decision I had ever made...

"Now wait just a damn minute!", I shouted. "The only reason I don't get out much, is because there's practically no one in my life to even look forward to seeing! Do you even know what it's like to sit and wonder if you're truly all alone and know you won't even have more than two people that know you exist?!"

....I soon knew what I had done.

Scootaloo looked at me, tears streaming, and I had done that...I made the one person I wanted to let know I was there more than anything cry..

She quickly ran off, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle right behind her. I just simply walked home.

When I walked in, I dropped to the floor..

A mirror was at the end of my hall and it's reflection showed something pathetic and sorry. Something that just didn't really seem like it even had a capability of happiness.

But this isn't what I saw....

What was really there, was a chance wasted. Someone who messed up in the worst way imaginable. The person who knew there wasn't a consideration he'd even try. That somehow, that quick, his emotions overwhelmed himself and who yelled nonsense that he really knew he couldn't relate to..

I was that reflection and I am that reflection..

I promise I'll make it up to her. I'll go and see her and maybe...just maybe...

There will be a reason...

I Told Her She Was Perfect

I sat on the floor and continued to look at the mirror. All there was, was an awful terrible thing that couldn't have been here except for sick pleasure. Yes it's a tad dramatic and little overwhelming...but I felt like it was all there was to being who I am.

I hurt her....

How could I even make it up to her? An apology would be the closest thing to hopefully making it all truly better but there was just no way she, or even Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle for that matter, would even allow me to actually say it..But still..I had to try.

So I headed off to the open tree-fields(yes tree-fields) of Sweet Apple Acres. I looked around for their beloved tree house and soon found it. Only...it wasn't what it used to be. The faded color, the wood almost rotten to the core, it was practically the resemblance from when they first started working on it.

I soon found the courage in myself, and with a deep and heavily relaxing sigh, I ventured to the later. But as I climbed up, I heard soft sobbing...However, there was no clear sign of the others.

I didn't mean to...I promise...

Gently opening the hatch, I slid through without any notice. I just couldn't help but feel even worse than I had back home...I was watching what I had done at a first hand experience. The pain was just unimaginable and practically striking my heart with repeated guilt.. Exaggerating again, forgive me.

As I tried walking to her in the most quiet way, as expected, a faulty floor board broke through and smacked the ground beneath the tree-house. My presence was more than noted.

When she turned to see me, her beautiful purple eyes turned from a feeling of no hope, to that of which resembled hate and fury.

"Go away..", she murmured softly.

"Scootaloo...I-", but before I could even start she spoke out against me, "Just go away!"

I couldn't speak...

"YOU think YOU'RE all alone!?", she was beginning to let me have it. "Do YOU even know what it's really like? I've had no one in my life. The only person I could look to was Dash, but she even ignored me! Apple Bloom barely pays attention, and Sweetie Belle just thinks following her sister is the only thing that matters."

I could see her tears beginning to swell and fill her eyes...

"Scootaloo..", I said softly. "You aren't alone.."

"Yeah I get it ok! But you don't! You've had people in your life. Parents, friends, everyone! You practically neglect it all! They've told me...", she said as she clenched her eyes shut to the point where tears fell violently.

She was right. I did have all of those things.Why did I choose to ignore it? Because they didn't see me as how she thought they did. I was ignored and put aside like I was nothing, but I can't let her feel like she really has no one.

"I may have had them", I said, "but that doesn't mean they saw me. Most even pretended like I was invisible, and most of it is still from my parents. But there's something I've ALWAYS knew could make me happy..."

Wiping her eyes, she looked at me like I was babbling on and on, but still kept a curious look.

Sighing deeply like before, I told her, "You. I knew that if somehow, someway if I could make you happy and actually feel like I gave you someone to have, then I knew I could be happy as well.."

Her mouth fell open slightly as I could faintly hear, "M-....me....?"

I nodded and continued, "I've always felt that way from the first time I saw you. Cliche I know, but believe me..it's true. You're perfect, Scootaloo. Who ever doesn't see that is obviously blind! You're just so strong willed and determined, it's practically admirable. When I see you, I can never look away. Beautiful is an understatement!"

I had said it...I told her she was perfect.

She was somewhat dumbfounded, really. It was clear she didn't know what to say right away, but she walked closer to me. But the feeling I was getting was as if I had done something wrong...so I slowly backed into a corner.

To my surprise, however, she wrapped her arms around me and said quietly, "Thank you..."

I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat. It wasn't even like I was alive anymore! Had I really done it? Had I made her..happy?

Without haste, I quickly hugged around her myself and held her without any chance of letting go. And as I held her, I told her again and again how perfect she really was.

This was it.

This is what happiness truly felt like.

The Best of Times Spent

It's been only months, but I already love her more than anything. Our endless nights of talking and cuddling, the countless amount of stupid and silly names we gave each other, all of this and MUCH more is really what gives it the essence of perfection.

I found out we had a lot more in common than you could see. Sports, dreams, even politics, all were things we could pass back and forth effortlessly. But there was one thing that she had no clue about...music. Hah, of all the things too.

It was the biggest part of my life, and I knew I had to help her with this dilemma.

I was in shock and complete laughter as I watched my darling girl dance and squirm around to my collection. She found punk easily fitting with her own strong-willed self. But still, those dance moves could kill! Literally..haha.

Soon after her exploration of my collection, a rather spunky, bouncy pink haired somebody ran to us.

"Scootaloo!", she exclaimed. "You NEED to come to my party tonight! Oh it'll be wonderful! Balloons, music, da-..wait..Who's this guy?", her look turned to me. I, myself, not knowing who she was.

"Oh! This is Stratus! He's well erm...", Scootaloo was blushing.

"I'm her boyfriend.", I said with a smile.

"BOYFRIEND!?", the girl squealed, "YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!? DOES ANYONE ELSE KN-", Scootaloo interrupted.

"Pinkie quiet down! It's not that big of a deal, shesh..", she was really blushing now.

"Well where are my manners? Hiya! I'm Pinkie Pie!", Pinkie said with the brightest and largest smile one could ever imagine.

"Well it's a fine pleasure to me you miss Pie!", I laughed gently.

A strange one, she is.

After the bouncing conversations, she had asked us to her party.

"Well can you both go!? Oh everyone's just gotta know!", her smile returned.

"Only if you really wanna Stratus. We don't-"

"I'd love to. Especially with you.", I said knowing her heart fluttered.

So it was decided, I was to head off to my first "Pinkie Pie" party with the person I loved more than anything in this world, knowing it would be one of the best of times spent with her. But this would also be the most interesting party I had EVER attended.

Hours passed and the moon soon lite the night sky, shrouding us in complete and utter darkness. It was beautiful.

This wasn't an ordinary party, from what I heard from others. This was to be an eloquent one that actually had structure...I could've have NEVER guessed from how Pinkie was earlier that she could pull that off, but I awaited to see how it would turn out.

Scootaloo had told me to go on ahead because she was still getting ready. I was wearing my father's tux. A person who, among others, had pushed me away so often gave me something of his that actually meant more than words to him.

"I'm proud of you. Really, I am.", he said to me. "This was the suit I wore when I met your mother.. "

"Thanks dad..", a soft smiled lay on my face.

I've hoped for the best, and now I'll wait.

As I waited for Scootaloo to arrive, I was greeted by many of the others that she had befriended throughout her life.

Twilight Sparkle, pretty much a book-nut who loved magic and her little pal Spike, a hyperactive, green-haired sprout. Then I met Applejack and Rarity, the older sisters of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who were practically the older versions of their younger sisters....or that's at least how I saw them, haha.

But to my surprise, there was no sign of Rainbow Dash. The others had said they hadn't seen her for some time, but they knew she would eventually turn up sooner or later.

Time passed, and conversations carried. But at last, she arrived. My God...her beauty wasn't even comprehensible. An angel would be an insult to how amazing she truly looked. So I did what I knew was best, I took her hand and led her inside. Now everyone could see that someone who seemed to not even exist was with someone who thought she had no one.

They all were more than happy for us, ecstatic really. I honestly couldn't count all of the, "Congratulations!", "You all are soooooo cute!", etc etc.

Still, even while all of this was going on, I couldn't help but look at Scootaloo. It's like I wasn't even there, and that we were both just alone and the happiest we could be..I loved every millisecond of it.

The hours of silly dances, wonderful tasting beverages and foods, and laughs really brought the night alive. I had never had so much fun in my entire life! Exchanging our 'expert' skills, Scootaloo busted out a few moves from earlier in the day, which left most in tears of laughter.

Then, out of a sudden stillness, a slow dance song came over the speakers. I couldn't help but blush as I looked to Scootaloo.

"I...I-I've never danced like..", she said bashfully.

"Neither have I darling....But lets just try, ok?", I took her hand.

I pulled her close and began to sway with her. Our feet practically gliding across the floor like slick but smooth enough ice you could easily walk upon and never lose balance. It was truly magical.

Tonight.

As we continued, I looked into her eyes and had paid no attention, if any at all, to the others around who had stopped dancing. We were by ourselves, but it had felt like it from the start. Like that was all that mattered, her and myself. Which lead to what came next, something I had been waiting to tell her since the day in the clubhouse.

I took all of the courage I could and looked into her beautiful, soft purple eyes and said, "Scootaloo...there's something I've been meaning to tell you.."

She stopped us briefly and asked, "Yes..?"

The music became ambient and represented simple background noise, my voice carried, "I...I love you."

I could feel her grip around me tighten as she pulled me closer, tears falling down her smile, "I love you too Stratus..you have no idea how much that means to know you feel the same."

The room remained quiet, and then with a great roar, "NOW KISS!" was exclaimed throughout the room. This was none-other than Spike, but it had gotten the others cheering and wanting to see if we were going to keep true to our words.

I smiled at the most amazing person in my life, and she smiled back. We kissed passionately and deeply, the clapping and excitement soon following after. Inseparable was exactly how we were.

The party soon came to an end and we said our goodbyes to those who we could catch at the last minute.

Scootaloo looked to me and said, "C'mon..we're gonna go somewhere."

Curiosity struck me with the ut-most interest, and I quickly followed behind her.

She led me to the clubhouse where I had confessed how I really felt, and proceeded to lead up the ladder and inside.

"The bed's not much..but I figured we could be alone tonight," she said as she went to lay down.

I rummaged through what appeared to be a small craw-space and found a large blanket. I threw it over her and myself and pulled her ever so close. We were both exhausted and never wanting this night to end.

Scootaloo looked to me and I looked back. We kissed again and again. I held her tightly, and she never let go of me.

"I love you" is what escaped both of our lips before we drifted off to sleep.

"I love you"

Your Worst Enemy

I could feel the blood running from my sides as I lay on the ground, nothing but a bloody pulp...My ribs broken, muscles strained, and legs bruised to the point where I couldn't even feel them...She was right, and she had won. Now I guess I was to lay here and die...

I closed my eyes...

*Hours before*

I awoke the next morning still exhausted. Scootaloo was still out like a rock, and I decided to let her rest. Strange...the club house seemed so comfortable but came off as barely even stable. I think I should help build back for her and the others. Heck, maybe we'd even live in it, haha! But I digress.

I wrote Scoots a note telling her I'd be back in a little awhile and for her to head on back to my house if she felt like it. I was going to do shopping yet again because it seemed like we had ran out of practically everything, from what I could remember.

As my grocery hunt progressed, I had realized something. Rainbow Dash wasn't the only one missing from last night...Fluttershy was as well. But I need not worry about meeting her, 'cause we both kinda knew it each other already. Still...her not showing up to one of her closest friend's parties? It was somewhat unheard of.

I finished quite early. Fruits, veggies, all the essentials and I were heading home. Yet I felt something strange. It was almost as if I was being watched...I looked high, low, and all around but saw no one. Was a ghost following me? Or was I just paranoid? Nevertheless, I continued home.

But my suspicions were true.

It hit me like a hurricane decimating a small town. However, it turned out to be a she and she was Rainbow dash. She was glaring at me. It was the kind of look you'd give someone who was meant for death...I was trapped, pinned to the ground. There couldn't have been a way to get up.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?", she said as her glare didn't fade, "Because I never said you could have her!"

"I'm sorry...?", I gulped.

"Yeah I bet you are, ya'little bastard. You took her away from me, my number one fan. Scootaloo was the one I couldn't have been happier with, and you had to just come and be all lovey dovey didn't you? Well listen here, and listen good. Back off and leave her. If not, I'll just have to pay you a visit.", she smirked.

"I'm sorry, but that WON'T happen. I love her. More than anything at that, and no matter what you do, I won't let her go. Go ahead and make your threats, but don't be an un-reasoning idiot. She had been looking for you, but when the others had no clue where you even went, she decided to just wade it out.", I glared back at her now.

I could tell she was furious with what I had said, but she did let me go. So I dusted myself off, gathered my things, and went on about my business continuing home.

When I arrived, I was welcomed with a warm and tight hug from Scootaloo.

"You're home!", she cheered. "Gah, I've missed you so much."

"I missed you as well darling," I said before kissing her gently. "On my way home, though, I ran into someone..."

She looked at me curiously, "Oh? Who?"

"Well....Rainbow Dash. But lets say she wasn't the 'happiest' to see me.", I sighed gently.

"Ahh don't worry! That's just how she is! Now c'mon, I just popped a movie in and I wanna cuddle!", she demanded.

Her smile and giggle were two of my biggest weaknesses. So how did I spend my afternoon? Curled up on the couch, with Scootaloo, and watching some camp cult film that was surprisingly hilarious. But I knew I couldn't keep this up, because she was getting hungry.

"Straaaaaaaaaaaatus, I want food," she said with a whine.

"Well get up and make something lazy buns! I just came back from the store not to long ago.", I laughed.

"But I want take out! Pleeeeease? You'd just have to get it!", she smiled widely and in an angel like way.

"Haha, alright alright! I'll go. But just for you!", my laughing continued.

I didn't mind going and getting her food, but it was the fourth time this week. She'd usually come with me, but that wasn't the case this time. Oh no, haha, she wanted to stay in the warm house all snuggled up with the blankets. Who was to blame her? It was painfully cold out tonight.

After picking up her food, I started to head back home when I felt the same feeling as before. Someone was watching me again...Was it Dash? Probably not. She was just trying to scare me after all.

I shouldn't have thought that...

Before I knew it, however, a blow to my stomach had sent me straight to the ground. Sure enough, Rainbow Dash stood over me with the same glare as earlier today.

"You really don't get it, do'ya? I told you to get lost and leave her. Now I have to live up to my promise", she kicked away Scootaloo's food.

"Oh really?", I coughed, "Go ahead an-"

A kick to my side shot up through my body with rigged pain. She then began to kick harder and harder into my side, throwing in a mix of jabs and stomps as well. I tried standing up and at least having a chance, but it was impossible. She had me where she wanted me.

"Go ahead and what you little shit? I'm gonna make sure you get the message loud and clear! Stay. The. Fuck. Away. From. Her.", she screamed at me.

Her kicks turned to punches and blows to my skull. My body writhed in endless pains and cries. She then proceeded to beat my legs with a large object of some kind. Tears soaked my bleeding face as the beating progressed. But she wasn't done.

Dash brought me to my feet and threw me against the cold steel of a park bench, making sure my bruised ribs were the main target in this action. With each slam, I could feel myself practically slipping away. Was I going to die? She was making sure of it, at least.

"Rainbow, please!", I screamed out through my pain.

"Please? Haha! Isn't that just rich? No way I'd stop for you, this is way to much fun!", her smirk widened.

I was soon on the ground before she began to attack my chest with the same blunt instrument as before. I could barely breathe, let alone see or even feel anything for that matter. But I could feel the blood draining into my lungs, telling me there wasn't an inch of hope.

She had finished. To add insult to injury, though, she began to furiously kick my groin a few times just before finally saying to me, "Now do I make myself clear? I'm your worst enemy, now. So if you don't want this to happen, I suggest you go and disappear!"

Rainbow Dash had walked off.

I closed my eyes...

"This...this can't be happening...", I managed to cough out.

"Not like this...please...."

Cold Beds and Soft Foods

I was still in shock as to what happened... Unconscious from blood loss, yes, but yet still had my mindset on if I was truly going to die...But as I thought about it more and more, I began to dream. I dreamt of Scootaloo and everyone else. We were all laughing and having a wonderful time. It was so serene, I could have sworn it was actually happening. The feel of Scoot's hand on mine, her voice talking to me, seeing the warmth of her smile..

But then I felt cold. Not alone, but as if the temperature outside had dropped dramatically. Then I felt tears, dropping on my hands and not believing where they were coming from. Scootaloo's eyes...But she was still smiling, like nothing was wrong. Then I heard her say something, though I could barely make it out...

"Wake up...", she had said, "please wake up..."

My eyes opened

It took some getting used to the light, but I had managed to see everyone around me. Scootaloo was by my bed's side, squeezing my hand, crying and hoping I was still alive. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, and Spike were watching with high hopes that I was alright.

"Wha-.....what's going on..?", I had muttered.

"We found you...lying on the ground...bleeding so much...", Scootaloo's sobs were utterly heavy and airy.

I tried sitting up, but the pain was so severe that it was like I had been shocked, violently, back against my pillow. My sides, legs, arms and head were all bandaged to a great extent. It hurt, immensely. But I'm glad I had made it through.

"I didn't know she would...", she gulped, "do..this..."

"How did you all find me..?", I asked.

"Well ya'see", AJ had started," we had some help."

Fluttershy had walked in without my notice

"I um...took them to where you were", she looked down.

'How did she know?', I had thought to myself.

"Dashie, well...", she went on to explain,"I had seen her days before Pinkie's party, and she was furious. I didn't know why until she told me one day....But had I known sooner..."

"All that matters is that she got what she deserved", Twilight had spoken out.

Sighing, I managed to sit up and take Scoot's hand in mine.

"I'm glad I'm still around....I would never have forgiven myself for leaving you," I said to her.

She wrapped around me gently, crying and smiling into my shoulder.

Hours had passed and I heard learned of what happened to Rainbow. It seems Applejack had Big Mac and a few others take care of her. From what she had told me, it was worse than what she did to me. But for some reason....I felt as if it wasn't needed. Not that I deserved this beating she had given me, but I just didn't feel right knowing she had any injury done. A conundrum, I know.

"Sir, you're painkillers and food are here", a nurse had said.

It didn't occur to me, but I was curious as to how long I was unconscious.

"Does anyone know how long I was out..?", I had asked.

"Three days. They had to get you an IV as soon as you hit the bed. But Scootaloo stayed with you all of the way.", Fluttershy had said with a smile.

I looked at Scoot's and smiled at her as she blushed.

"I just couldn't leave your side..", she smiled.

My food was composed of applesauce, some type of pea mash, and milk. Soft foods had seemed to have stuck with me for a while anyways.

After I had eaten, I had asked when I was able to leave.

"Well, we don't recommend it...but you could today", a doctor had told me.

Scootaloo's face was lighting up from the second he had told me that.

I of course had to be helped into a wheelchair, but there wasn't a problem. But as we started to head to the front desk to fill out all of the paper work for my leave, I saw into a room and was baffled.

It was Dash, and she was almost in a full body cast. A respirator was one thing I saw, but she was out cold and almost...lifeless. That wasn't something I wanted to dwell on, though, so I focused on getting home and spending time with Scootaloo.

As we arrived to my house, I was surprisingly able to walk into my house and to my own bed as well.

So all I was doing, was laying there with the person that mattered most in my life. The person I would've hated myself for leaving without saying goodbye. But I didn't have to worry about that.

"I love you", I whispered as she slept by my side.

...She is my forever...